First Presidency

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST, the Church is
led by 15 apostles, who are also regarded as prophets, seers, and revelators. The man
who has been an apostle the longest is the President of the Church, and by inspiration
he selects two other apostles as counselors. These three function as the First
Presidency, which is the highest governing body of the Church. (For information on the
other 12 apostles, see Quorum
of the Twelve Apostles, which is the second-highest governing body of the
Church.)

Members of the First
Presidency are special witnesses of Jesus Christ, called to teach and testify of Him
throughout the world. They travel frequently, addressing and encouraging large
congregations of members and interested nonmembers, as well as meeting with local
leaders.

When they are not traveling,
members of the First Presidency counsel together and with other general Church leaders
on matters affecting the worldwide Church, such as missionary work, temple building,
spiritual and temporal welfare, and much more.